US Post Office

I have used this post office twice in the last 6 months. Both times I had a simple question about the right packaging and needed a pen to write the address. Both times the woman behind the counter (different each time) yelled at me for not having it written before I got to the window, even though that is the ONLY place they have pens, and treated me like I must be the dumbest person on the planet for not knowing the answer to my question! I’m sorry I don’t work in a post office, but isn’t it your job to help me? And for heaven’s sake just put a pen on the other freaking counter so I have an option before you scream at me! I’ve now left crying twice, and will never return. Thanks for the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced.

If I could give 0 stars, I would. The first time I went in, I thought the clerk was just having a bad day. The second time I realized that was her normal demeanor – probably as a result of being called out for her rudeness and incompetence on multiple occasions. I could deal with rude, but the incompetence should get her fired. A postal worker should know what return receipt requested and certified mail are.

This is the best post office in the area — never a long wait, the staff seem indifferent but efficient. I live near 2 others but I’ll go out of my way to use this one knowing the wait is always minimal. The only reason why I’m giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is because I wish they were open on Saturdays.

Very long line. No kidding. About 30 minutes even if there are just 6 persons in front of you

Grumpy and terribly unhelpful clerk. She would not let me get one question out before shutting me down. You could approach her with roses and she’d throw them on the ground. Good luck. Go elsewhere.

If I could give it zero stars I would. The woman working there was extremely rude, like from a movie is this really happening rude. She treated me like I was a total idiot and when I asked her a question she just kept repeating the same answer over and over and over again in an antagonistic way. All I wanted to know was if there was a faster way to send the package. That’s it. I wish I had the power to fire people, because she would be fired. Out of a cannon.

needed to mail out some express mail, went around 12:30 pm on a Monday anticipating a long line but was I totally wrong. Just myself alone along with the clerk playing with the phone in the Post Office. Literally, in and out within 5 mins. It was so surreal.

We need our local post office so I hope this place stays open.

This place is fine… it’s okay. I just really really appreciate the parking lot! I can park and then walk only a few steps. So convenient. therefore, 3 stars!
About this post office:
–really small — look at my picture. (But if you go at a good time, it won’t be cramped, so that wouldn’t even matter.)
–I went around 3pm on a Tuesday and I only waited around ten minutes. Versus Downtown Berkeley post office, where I always had to wait more than 30 minutes FOR SURE. BUT… downtown Berkeley one is also bigger, and the employees seem nicer and happier too. And way more helpful. North Berkeley one too. So you gotta pick… customer service or speed?
–they have two windows but only one was accepting packages. slowed things down a little.
–the lady was only semi-helpful…she was pretty much just mostly impatient. But hey, it’s a post office… that’s usually the case.
I like that this post office is so close to me and that there’s a parking lot… but also that it’s WAY less crowded than other Berkeley post offices. Yes, the atmosphere here is the dingiest in comparison to the North Berkeley and Downtown Berkeley ones, but it’s also the fastest too (bc of the # of ppl, not the employee speed…) so that’s good enough for me!

Packages finally made it 2.5 weeks later to both addressees! At least they made it! :)

Yes, a fairly miserable-​looking place, but convenient with a convenient parking lot. One long-​time African-​American employee (Yolanda?) is terrific. She very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. All but one other employee have been unfriendly or surly. They have not lost any packages for me. I’m glad that they are there because other local offices are difficult to find parking.

I just wrote the following in a Facebook message to Dean Granholm, the Pacific area VP of operations for USPS. I invite others to do the same. You’ll have to search for his profile — it’s the one with a train as the picture at the top — and your message will be placed in his «other» Facebook message folder. But hopefully he’ll see it eventually:
Mr. Granholm, I’m writing you on your Facebook page because USPS, in its wisdom, doesn’t provide email links on its website to its top leadership.
I’ve been patronizing a small post office at 3175 Adeline St. in Berkeley, 94 703, since June when I moved to the area, and it is the sorriest excuse for a post office I’ve seen. Every time I walk in there, something is broken or missing, or the place looks like no one has taken the time to clean it up in weeks. Today, no credit or debit sales were allowed because the store’s computer system was down — at least the system that handles card sales. A sign on the plexiglass window said please provide exact change. (!!) And the table where various forms and slips were provided was a mess. I’ve walked in there before and there were no boxes available. There’s no automated postal machine. And on and on and on. It’s as if USPS has forgotten about this place and its just sort of operating on a tightrope. What’s the story with this place? And why can’t USPS brighten up the place and get it working right?

This place is the worst. Expect a long wait in a dark, dingy room with no supplies and an angry unhelpful woman behind the glass who rolls her eyes and groans if you ask a question. I waited in line patiently, and when it was my turn, the woman immediately told me to step aside because I didn’t have my box sealed (no one was behind me in line), then proceeded to walk away and did not come back to the desk for several minutes even though I called her trying to ask her questions (which box do I need? how much does it cost to ship it in a box rather than an envelope??). When she came back, she helped someone else who had showed up while I stood there waiting to ask her a question. Then, when that person was finished, and there was no one there but me again, she started talking on her cell phone. Finally, when she did help me, she was annoyed that I used the wrong kind of box and didn’t fill out a customs form. If she had actually helped me in the first place, I would have known which box and form to use, and would not have wasted my time. In her opinion, I ‘talked too much’. WOW. I thought it was her job to listen to my questions, and make it easier for me to send a package where it is supposed to go with the right box and forms. I’m shocked the USPS employs such people. Go anywhere else. This place should be CLOSED.

I love that I dont have to go to the Berkeley Main office to get my stamps, etc. Yolanda is a great personable employee and I hope she always stays at this location. Some of the other employees are not as friendly. I also hope this location stays open because it has a parking lot, is convenient and that is worth standing in a bit of a line some days.

Lines here are often extremely long. They seem to be perpetually understaffed and the staff who are there move VERY slow. I’ve waited 45 min to mail a package! Prefer the location on College Ave.

Yolanda, who works at this post office, is incredibly friendly and likes to make a personal connection with everyone who comes into the post office. She told me once that her mom also worked for the postal service, and it shows that she cares about her job. She knows and remembers peopole who come in regularly. It makes me feel like I’m back in a small town, like where I grew up.
Yolanda’s’s even amusing when she gives you your stamp options, and doesn’t pressure you to choose faster. I’m sad that they got rid of the bike rack out front. And yes, it can take a while if there’s a line, but to me that personal touch is worth it.

This post office is conveniently located, rarely crowded, and has really great personnel, including Yolanda, who is fantastic, helpful, and resourceful.

I went in there trying to mail a few letters internationally. The woman behind the counter made us wait until she finished her cell phone call. We asked her advice on the least expensive way to ship a package overseas. She shrugged. We found out later that we overpaid by $ 25.
Never going back.

This is by far the most ghetto post offices in Berkeley.
There are always three things here:
(1) A huge line
(2) People cashing their SSI checks holding up the line
(3) A big fat nasty lady that works behind the counter that never responds unless totally required. (ei: you say «hello» — she keeps looking down).

Argh. No post office is pleasant, but this one gets the 1-​star because I went there during their open hours (around 12), walked in, and no workers were present. Instead, a hand-​written sign was displayed saying, «out to lunch.»
Are you kidding? Who is managing this place?